Planning permission granted for Melksham Oak walking, cycling and wheeling path

Wiltshire Council, as the planning authority, has granted permission for construction of a new shared use walking cycling and wheeling path to and from Melksham Oak School.

Once complete, the new path will link the Hunters Wood development from Rocket Road in east Melksham to the school, ensuring safer trips for pupils and the local community.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member Transport and Assets, said: We're delighted that approval has been granted for Melksham Oak Path to help pupils cycle, walk or wheel to school safely.

Our plans for this new, fully lit path meet our Business Plan commitment to increase walking and cycling, as we know that this can have a positive effect on children's health and wellbeing, as well as helping to contribute to our commitment to reduce Wiltshire's carbon footprint and improve air quality.

There are several conditions in place on the planning permission to protect the local wildlife and environment, and we are currently working through these before work can begin on site.

Once this process is complete, we will start work on site as soon as possible. We will have more information on a start date and completion date for the work in the coming weeks.

The planning permission is subject to an Arboricultural Method Statement to ensure relevant trees along the development are safeguarded as appropriate, a Construction Environmental Management Plan to ensure relevant ecological protections, and detailed plans of the lighting to ensure that the local wildlife is protected.

To find out more about the planning permission, people can go to: Planning Application: PL/2023/10488 (opens new window)